Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-02-04
West Virginia Legislature.

West Virginia Legislature.
Comparatively little business OF i'm
portance has been transacted by the
Legislature since our last report. Each
day the business is suspended for the
purpose Of voting in joint session for
United States Senator. In all there
have been nearly 400 bills introduced in
the Legislature, and the discussion OF
these takes up most OF the time.
IL the Senate a bill was passed pro-
viding that the circuit courts for the sew
eral counties of the thirteenth Judicial
Circuit shall hereafter commence and
be held as follows: For the county of
Morgan, OH the first Tuesday in Janu-
airy, the first Tuesday in April and
the second tuesday in August. For the
county of jefferson, on the second Tues
day in February, on the third Tuesday
in May, and on the third Tuesday in
November. For the county of Berkeley,
on the second Tuesday In January, on
the second Tuesday in April and on the
second tuesday in September.
There was a lively debate in the
House on Monday on bill making it
unlawful for any person occupying a
legislative, judicial, executive or minis
terial position, either in the State or a
county thereof, to accept pass or re-
duced-rate ticket from any railroad or
steamboat line operating wholly or in
any portion of the State, the penalty
therefor bpinga fine of not less than
$50 or not more than 500; and any such
corporation Offering a pass or reduced
rate to be fined not less than 81, 800 or
more than $4,000. This bill had been
reported back from the railroad commit
tee with the recommendation that it do
not pass, but in spite of this it was pass
ed, and with the following amendment !;
"That it shall be unlawful for any can
didate for any position in the State or
county, or for Congress or the Senate,
to give dinner or pass or pay the ex-
penses, or take any action looking
toward the influencing of the vote of any
delegate to any convention or primary
election, or the influencing of the vote
of any person occupying a legislative,
judicial, executive or ministerial posi-
ton in either State or county" The
clause relative to giving dinner was
oeeasioned by reception given by Gov.
Wilson few nights since, TO which the
anti. caucus Democrats were invited,
while the CamdeniteS were overlooked.
Gov. Wilson WAS on the floor during
the debate, and was not the least inter.
ested of the listeners.
President Price has made ruling TO
the effect that majority OF each house
constitutes quorum of the Legislature,
and that Il majority of a quorum is suffi-
cient TO elect. This has had the effect
to make both sides very wary for fear
they may be caught mapping.
In the Senate on Tuesday, test vote
joint resolutions submitting to a vote
of the people the question of a cOnsti-
tulional amendment prohibiting the
manufacture ard sale of Intoxicating
liquor within the State developed the
fact that there were only fifteen votes
in its favor, while eighteen are neces-
sary to make the requisite two. thirds.
The joint resolutions passed the House
by forty majority. The liquor element
is rejoicing at the outcome in the SEN
ate. This is the fifth failure, at as
many sessions, to pass the measure.
The vote for United States Senator
last Friday stood: Camden 81, Wiley
80. Burdett 6, johnson 4, the balance
scattering. The Democrats then held a
conference with closed doors for the
purpose of devising means by which to
elect Camden United States Senator.
There were 80 members present, and
they resolved, never to forsake Mr.. Cam
den, but to vote for him as a unit. The
nine recalcitrants refused to affiliate
with the majority and have determined
to hold out until the end. The Repub-
licans stand by Mr.. Wiley and the
Greenbackers said they would agree to
stick to Mr.. Burdett.
The fifth ballot on Saturday, was as
follows: Camden, 81; Wiley, 80;
Burdett (Greenbacker), 6; Judge
johnson, a; John Brannon, 3; A. F.
Hayman, 2; Gov. Wilson, II. C. Simms
and L. S. Newman, each.
The ballot Monday resulted: Camden,
Democrat, 81; Burdette, Greenbacker,
50; johnson, 4; Raymond, 3; balance
scattering.
On Tuesday the Republicans centered
on Golf and gave him 80 votes. Cam
den got IS, and the balance were seats
tered liz about the usual proportion.